'Love Bucks' to aid attack victims

September 24, 2001|By Peter Comings

"I know what these people in New York will be going through in the next weeks, months and years," said Johnson, who still dreams in the nighttime of her brother's return. "Americans are traditionalists. We go to a funeral. We say goodbye to someone."

In the absence of something physical to cling to, Johnson and her daughter Marisa started talking two days after the incident of a way to aid the families through a fund-raising effort she has dubbed "Love Bucks." For a minimum donation of a dollar, people can sign a heart to be hung in any of the participating businesses. Johnson, arms extended in a broad gesture to the town, said she hopes to convince every business in the community to participate and to have each of them covered with hearts. The money raised will be directed through the American Red Cross to its National Disaster Relief Fund. Those who donate for a heart may also sign an oversized card Johnson intends to send to the East Coast letting people there know about Gaylord's caring.

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"Basically the role of the Red Cross is to provide our endorsement of the effort. She and I reviewed the project and I thought it was a terrific way to get a broad base of local efforts involved in activities after last week's terrorist attacks," said Sue Shoemaker, executive director for the northern Lower Michigan Chapter Red Cross covering Otsego and 11 other northern Michigan counties. "The thing that is just so amazing and heart warming, I'm hearing only the tip of the iceberg as to the fund-raising activities in our 12-county area. I can say with confidence I've heard of about 50. I am certain we're not aware by far of the majority of the events that are under way."

"I have a feeling you need to make this card extremely huge," said Johnson. "We may have to do more than one card or one card 10-feet tall."

The Image Factory is donating time and materials for the project.

"She approached me and asked if I would be interested in donating some printing. The first thing I want to know is where is it going and who is collecting it," said Ron Grendel, owner of the Image Factory. "I wanted to make sure it's going to the right place. We're just like everyone else. We're devastated. Anything that we can show as support from our community that we're thinking of them is good."

Shoemaker and Johnson noted both cans to collect money and people associated with the program will be identified with the American Red Cross logo. Johnson's immediate need is for volunteers to solicit business participation.

"I think it's a wise response for prospective donators to have a sense of insurance the money will go where they intend it," said Shoemaker. "The companies that have called us, I have requested they use the Red Cross logo and indicate this goes to disaster relief."

"Whatever the Red Cross sees fit," said Johnson. "But I want it to go to the families. I want them to know where it came from."

Anyone interested in participating may contact Johnson at Premiere Video, 731-5758, or Shoemaker at the American Red Cross office in Gaylord, 732-7161 or 800-691-6059.